"I really enjoyed myself over the first 50 kilometres -- the terrain reminded
me of the countryside around where I live and where I grew up riding enduro
bikes -- perhaps that is why I went well today. Then at about km 60 I came up
into Marc Coma's dust and sat behind him until the finish line -- the track
was too tricky and dusty to attempt an overtaking move. Now we are going
into Mauritania and I think my position isn't too bad. I am still a little
angry with myself for the mistake I made yesterday but 9 minutes is nothing
in Mauritania, where the navigation can be very tricky - for sure there is
everything to play for.

Cyril Despres (Gauloises KTM) 3rd (at 5'02) 4th overall (at 47'33)

"I admit that I didn't push my luck today. I attacked a little bit over the
first, mountain section and then backed off when we got to the rocky stuff.
The Spanish riders have always been quick in Morocco -- maybe 'cos the
terrain is similar to where they live -- personally I can't bring myself to
ride moto-x style on a rally bike over that going. By the refuelling point
they had taken 3 minutes and 1 minute of me and then continued at that rythm
for the rest of the special. When I look at the gap overall I can't say it
fills me with joy, but if you subtract the 27 minutes I lost with the
gearbox, and the 12 I lost in the dust the next day as a consequence, it is
'understandable'. But let's not get too excited, there is still a long way
to go and Lady Luck is a fickle mistress."

David Casteu (Gauloises KTM) 8th (at 15'15) 3rd overall (at 37'41)

"It was less rocky than yesterday but pretty rock all the same and I didn't
take any chances -- it is never a good idea to touch the ground in Morocco.
Despite riding quietly I nevertheless hung on to my 3rd place overall -- even
if I lost a little ground.

"The bike only bivouac last night was an excellent idea. Obviously with the
fatal accident of Elmer Symons the atmosphere wasn't great, but David
Castera is to be applauded for the initative as it brought all the bike
riders together so that we could share the special bound we have between
us."

"I thought yesterday's bivouac would be much more uncomfortable than it
actually was and it was a good experience despite the accident. I worked on
my bike and then gave Cyril a hand with his. We didn't know each other very
well before the start of the rally so doing something like that helps to
build the relationship which I would say is working very well now."

"Today it was like they'd put all the rocks and stones from the whole world
in one place. I started with all my tanks full and by refuelling had only
touched the rear. So I just put a couple of litres in the back and the bike
was much more comfortable to ride."

Tomorrow the riders head off through the 'wall' to Mauritania and the
longest stage of the rally, 817 km of which 394 are special stage.